New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-31
TIE JEROME PARK MEETING.

Tho most renowned the least selfish and
tho most honored racing organization Of
America invited its friends and the public TO
a Ideal feast Of sport at jerome Park ycSter-
day. and so eagerly was the invitation accepted
that tho picturesque grounds at Foriham have
rarely il ever been moro closely occupied.
So large was tho crowd that the Harlem Rail
road. with tho best intentions in the world
and with moro extensive preparations thnn
ever before. found itself seriously overtaNed
and although it borrowed cars and enginca
from all its neighbors il could not transport
tho people promptly The result was that
some thousands who took sufficient interest IN
tho steeplechase to wait until the judges put
up tho numbers did not reach their homes
until after o'clock dusty, hungry tired and
angry. This state Of things could not but
inuro the popularity of Jerome Park. But
there win always be such delays and disap-
pointmens, until new tracks arc lad to In
crease tho accommodations at the Jerome Park
siding. or until tho elevated roads run their
cars to the gates. When the latter boon Is
granted to holiday makcrs, New Workers need
no. envy Paris her Longchamps, for she will
then have within her own domain tho most
conveniently situated and one OF tho most
attractive racing parks in the world.
But the sport Of tho opening day OF the
Jerome Park Spring Meeting was lively enough
10 compensate those present for dust, dkcom-
fort and delay. 1t is true that the grand
stand was packed like tho Stock Exchange when
a panic RACES. and that the betting ring sccthcd
and boiled like Paris street mob just before
tho barbados 60 up. But tho cool and yer
dant slopes Of the clubhouse hill were ialr
to see. They were soothing TO scared and
restless eyes and they brought peace to the
impatient and troubled With tho dozen
four.in-han parked ON the grass, and tho
Jolly little picnics in progress all about, they
presented picture of harmless gayety not to
be paralecd within the bounds of this big
city. The admirers Of the thoroughbred horse
AT his best saw the great colt Hanover cantcr
off with the W1thers-and few creatures that
stand on hoofs are better worth seeing than
tbi, same magnificent Hanover. They saw and
rcioccd that the hitherto unlucly Fairfax
Stable gained two races, ono oil
shem tho historic and lucrative Fordham
Handicap. They saw justice done To
a miserable beast and a miserable jockey
from the tainted fields of Clifton, and race
that had been foully taken away
from the thief who stole it and given
20 honest desert. They saw steepechase
which in changing color, in swift and stirring in
cident and in freedom from serious disaster has
not often been surpassed on this side OF the
water. And after the excitement of the after
noon heaped full and running over, they en-
loved their dinners even If these were late.
Jerome Park has taken on new
lease of life under the recent legis,a-
ton at Albany. But for that President
Belmont would soon have been compelled to
write "Ichabod" above its gates. A some
what unexpected sequence OF this legisla-
ZION is that the Society for the Pre-
yention of Crime is now acting
with the great jockey clubs to break up
he pestilent poo-rooms. People hardly
looked to see Anthony ComstOck put his
shoulder to the wheel which Leonard
w. Jerome, ID. ID. Withers, j. &. X. Lawrence
and other honOred and Influential racing men
have set rolling. The jockey clubs have decided
TO exclude from their tracks altogether
any one found guilty OF making books or
selling pools except at the times and places
lllotted under the new law. And now Mr.
Comstock comes TO their aid by making
charges against alleged transgressors. Ii Is
somewhat remarkable that he consents
TO hold communication with these whom he